Sol Waits For 19th, 40th Picks

April 25, 2000|By SHARON ROBB Staff Writer

Remember the name: Jurgita Streimikyte.

Streimikyte is a guaranteed first-round draft pick in today's WNBA Draft, even though no one's ever heard of her.

The 6-foot-3 Lithuanian forward is a smooth, slick scorer in the European tradition, according to basketball expert Clay Kallam of Fullcourt Press. She is a fluid veteran who will put points on the board. Coaches expect her to make an immediate impact in the WNBA and could start right now for at least one-third of the franchises including the first-year Sol.

Otherwise, it will be slim pickings in what is expected to be a low-impact draft because of the lack of marquee names on the draft-eligible list. If five-time Olympian Teresa Edwards signs with the WNBA today along with former ABL standouts Katrina McClain and Katy Steding, it could make it more interesting.

Just one month before the WNBA's fourth season tips off, 16 franchises will sift through what available players (107) are out there via conference call and broadcast live for the first time from the NBA Entertainment studio in Secaucus, N.J. The four new expansion teams, including the Sol, will add some names to their rosters and 12 other franchises will look to bolster their lineups. The four-round draft begins 11 a.m.

The Cleveland Rockers get the first pick and three-time league champion Houston the last in the first round, in which teams are scheduled in inverse order of their final standings last season. The four expansion teams -- Portland, the Sol, Seattle and Indiana -- have been assigned the seventh through 10th picks, respectively. The actual selection order already has been altered, as teams negotiated player trades and jockeyed for draft positions during the off-season. The Sol has the 19th and 40th picks after trading 10th, 24th and 56th picks for center Marlies Askamp from the Minnesota Lynx.

"In those positions, it depends on who is there," said Sol General Manager and coach Ron Rothstein. "It might be the best athlete available. With our trades, we are giving ourselves a better chance than if we went all young through the draft. I've been that route, and I know how difficult it is.

"The bottom line is: In order to win, you need talent, and I think we have been able to acquire some very talented players. I think you give yourself a better chance when you have quality people who are talented. We have accomplished that part so far."

Eligible collegiate players and former ABL veterans who have signed contracts with the WNBA are in the pool. Players who signed with the WNBA last season but not selected in the 1999 draft will not be available until after the draft.

This list includes 14 foreign players, including Ann Wauters, a 6-4 center from France, Kamila Vodichkova, 6-4 from the Czech Republic and Tatiana Kavvadia, 5-11 from Greece. There are 25 free agents, 18 with professional experience either in the ABL or overseas. They include Tausha Mills (ABL, Alabama), who may be the number one pick overall; Naomi Mulitauoapele (ABL, Stanford), who impressed scouts at the pre-draft camp; Jannon Roland (Purdue '97), who was efficient offensively at camp; Shea Mulhoney-Lansford (Finland, Western Kentucky), who showed impressive skill around the basket; Charisse Sampson (ABL, Kansas); and Kelley Gibson (Maryland).

Agents have been told by league officials that player payroll will double this season to more than $12 million.

WNBA President Val Ackerman said that the average salary for a WNBA player this season will be $55,000, while WNBA Players' Association reps and agents say that the average salary will be more in the $35,000-$36,000 range.

Starzz get Azzi

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Starzz traded two first-round draft picks to the Detroit Shock for veteran point guard Jennifer Azzi and a draft pick. The Starzz gave up the Nos. 3 and 8 picks in today's draft for Azzi and the Shock's 12th pick in the round.